Hyderabad: The New Farakka Bridge, a four-lane structure across the Ganga in West Bengal, is nearing completion and is expected to ease decades-long congestion on the ageing Farakka Barrage.
Built in the 1960s, the existing barrage now struggles to handle heavy vehicle flow linking Malda, Murshidabad and North Bengal. As a result, commuters often lose one to two hours daily in traffic. College faculty and students travelling to institutions in Farakka have faced frequent delays, especially during examinations.
The upcoming bridge stretches 5.468 km and stands among India’s longest river bridges. Authorities built it at a cost of ₹622.04 crore. Officials confirmed that construction has reached 96% completion and the project will open soon.
Once operational, the New Farakka Bridge will allow smoother movement of goods and passenger vehicles. Consequently, transporters expect faster delivery of agricultural produce from North Bengal to southern markets. Mangoes and litchis from Malda and Murshidabad will reach consumers more efficiently.
New Farakka Bridge to boost trade and tourism links
Beyond reducing congestion, the project aims to strengthen economic and social connectivity. Business operators in the region anticipate improved logistics efficiency and increased trip rotations. Therefore, local enterprises expect better profitability and reduced fuel costs.
The bridge will also improve access to key tourism destinations. Visitors travelling to Kulik Bird Sanctuary, Gour Malda and Adina Mosque will benefit from shorter travel times. In addition, connectivity to Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Sikkim will become faster and more seamless.
Officials said the new structure will also support quicker emergency response during medical crises. At present, heavy traffic often delays ambulances. However, smoother movement across the Ganga is expected to reduce such risks.
The project will strengthen connectivity between North and South Bengal. It will also facilitate inter-state movement with Jharkhand. As final construction stages conclude, the New Farakka Bridge is set to transform mobility and restore valuable time to thousands of residents.
